Environmental Protection: Issues Raised by the Reorganization of EPA's Ombudsman Function
Highlights
Federal ombudsmen help their agencies be more responsive to the public through the impartial investigation of citizens' complaints. Professional standards for ombudsmen incorporate certain core principles, such as independence and impartiality. In July 2001, GAO reported that key aspects of EPA's hazardous waste ombudsman were not consistent with professional standards, particularly with regard to independence. (See GAO-01-813.) Partly in response to GAO's recommendations, EPA reorganized its ombudsman function and removed the national ombudsman from the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. GAO made preliminary observations on these changes in testimony in June and July 2002. (See GAO-02-859T and GAO-02-947T). This report provides information on (1) the current status of EPA's reorganization of the ombudsman function and (2) issues identified in our prior report and testimonies that have not yet been addressed.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | To ensure that EPA's national ombudsman (1) is consistent with what the ombudsman community and the public have come to expect from that position and (2) does not adversely affect the independence of the agency's OIG, the Administrator, EPA, should reconsider placement of the national ombudsman in the OIG. |
Closed – Not Implemented
EPA has concluded that housing the national ombudsman function within its Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides the independence and impartiality necessary to conduct credible inquiries. The agency's response to GAO's recommendation indicates that the national ombudsman function will remain within the OIG.
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